At long last, Hollow Knight: Silksong is coming. Officially. Probably. Announced during the Xbox Games Showcase 2025, Microsoft confirmed that the game is expected to release “later this year,” marking the first concrete update in what has felt like an eternal void of silence from Team Cherry.

While no specific release date was shared, the phrasing alone “later this year” is more than enough to reignite hope among the Hollow Knight faithful, who’ve been clinging to scraps of info since Silksong was first revealed in early 2019.

A Light at the End of the Deepnest

Silksong was once a small DLC expansion for the original Hollow Knight, before ballooning into a full-fledged sequel starring Hornet, one of the original game’s most iconic characters. Fans were immediately captivated by the prospect of a new kingdom to explore, new mechanics, and Team Cherry’s trademark style of haunting beauty and intricate Metroidvania design.

But then came the long silence.

Aside from sporadic blog updates and a brief appearance in Xbox’s 2022 showcase (where it was also promised to release “within 12 months”), Silksong became infamous for its extended development cycle. Memes, subreddit meltdown threads, and YouTube reaction compilations fueled the mythos of a game that always felt just out of reach.

Now, it finally feels real.

A September Preview and Playable Demo

Adding credibility to the 2025 release window is the announcement that Silksong will be playable to the public this September. The game will feature at the ACMI (Australian Centre for the Moving Image) in Melbourne as part of its “Game Worlds” exhibition starting September 18.

This marks the first time the public will get hands-on with the game since its original announcement, strongly suggesting that Silksong is in its final stages of polish.

Launch Platforms and Game Pass Day One

In even better news, Microsoft confirmed that Hollow Knight: Silksong will be available on Xbox Game Pass at launch. It’s also coming to a wide range of platforms including:

• Nintendo Switch
• PlayStation 4 & 5
• Windows PC
• Xbox One & Series X|S

This multi-platform strategy ensures that no matter where you play, you’ll be able to dive into the long-awaited world of Silksong without delay.

What’s New in Silksong?

Silksong flips the original formula by casting you as Hornet, a faster, more agile protagonist than the Knight. You’ll explore Pharloom, a mysterious kingdom haunted by silk and song, with over 150 new enemies, brand-new traversal mechanics like dashes, throws, and grappling, and a revamped quest system.

Hornet’s unique fighting style more acrobatic and aggressive will redefine the rhythm of combat. And from what we’ve seen, the sequel looks to maintain Hollow Knight’s signature aesthetic: a world that’s beautiful, sad, eerie, and full of secrets.

A Long Time Coming

It’s been over six years since Silksong was first revealed, and fans have waited patiently mostly. The phrase “Silksong when?” has become a meme, a chant, and a cry for help across corners of the internet. But now, with both Xbox and Nintendo reaffirming the game’s 2025 launch, hope has been restored.

As Hornet prepares to ascend the spires of Pharloom, we’re left waiting just a little longer. But this time, it feels different. This time, the wait might really be over.